Drug-induced acute pancreatitis.

A review of the literature reflects numerous instances of acute pancreatitis developing in patients while being treated with drugs. The causative relation is not yet definitively established but, in several instances, there appears to be a probable relation. The literature records at least 112 patients with drug-induced acute pancreatitis. Fifty-one instances were caused by steroids or adrenocorticotropic hormone, six by estrogen, two by azathioprine, 16 by diurectics, two by hypercalcemia, 24 by chemotherapy, three by clonidine and phenformin, two by warfarin and one each by salicylate, 1-asparaginase and d-propoxyphene. In addition, many patients have experienced acute pancreatitis while receiving immunosuppressive therapy after renal transplantation.